Head Coach - Iain Byrne
Email: BYRNEIJ@oneonta.edu
Tel: 607-436-2102

Iain Byrne enters his fifth season as the head coach of Oneonta State after previously filing the assistant coaching role for six seasons. The Red Dragons are coming off a record setting year in 2006, posting a 16-2-2 record and breaking numerous team and individual records. Ineligible for Conference or NCAA post-season play due to a two-year reclassification process, the Dragons managed to advance to the ECAC Tournament as the Number 1 seed. Hosting the tournament on Red Dragon Field, Oneonta won their semi final 5-2 to advance to the championship game. Ending the match tied 1-1; the Dragons were defeated in the penalty kick shoot out.

The 2006 team were an offensive juggernaut setting 6 scoring records and ending the season with a 15 match unbeaten streak. This streak carries forward into the 2007 season and eclipsed the previous record of 13 games that had stood for 34 years.

Byrne took over the program in 2003 and ended his first season with a 10-2-6 record, going undefeated in the Atlantic Soccer Conference, and earning Coach of the Year honors. Graduating 12 seniors, Byrne then went about rebuilding the program with an emphasis on New York state talent. Over the next two seasons Oneonta compiled a 4-4-3 record in the conference and advanced to the championship match in 2005, the first year a tournament format was introduced. Beating Howard 2-1 in the semi final, Oneonta then fell in the championship match, thus ending the Dragons long association in division one.

Byrne then focused on leading the men’s soccer program through the reclassification process, moving from Div. I to Div. III. The entire process will take two years, which will make Oneonta eligible for postseason play in 2008 when they rejoin the SUNYAC as a full competing member.

Born in England, Byrne was introduced to the game by his father who played professionally in England and Scotland for twenty years. At an early age the family emigrated to Durban, South Africa where Byrne represented the South African School’s Team in 1977 and 1978. He turned professional at the age of 18 and played for Durban City and Arcadia, both top club teams in South Africa. In 1984 and 1985 he represented the South African National Team in the annual celebratory match against international competition.

Byrne settled in the United States in 1986 and spent 10 years coaching and directing youth soccer organizations in Georgia and Florida before relocating to upstate New York to join the Red Dragon coaching staff prior to the 1997 season. Byrne completed his studies at SUNY Empire State College, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management. During the summer Byrne serves as the Tournament Director for the National Soccer Hall of Fame while also conducting youth soccer camps in the Oneonta area.

Christopher Saggese is an Oneonta State graduate with a degree in Secondary Education-Social Studies. Christopher was a Goalkeeper for the Red Dragons during the 1995 and 1996 seasons Prior to playing at Oneonta Chris played two years at Herkimer County Community College where he was part of the 1994 NJCAA Nation Championship Team which went 25-0 (129GF, 3 GA).

Chris graduated from Milford Central High School in 1993 and was voted a Daily Star 1st Team All-Star. During this period, Chris was a member of the New York State West’s ODP Team.

He has coached a variety of levels ranging from k-2 leagues, U10 Girls, U14 Boys, U19 Boys, and Modified teams. Chris recently completed his master’s degree in Education at American International University in Springfield Massachusetts, graduating with a 4.0 GPA.Chris is currently teaching Social Studies at Milford Central School and he resides in Oneonta with his wife Angie and their four daughters.

Jonathan Cook begins his first season with the Red Dragons this fall. After a stellar high school career at Laurens Central School, located just outside Oneonta, John committed to attend Colgate University in Hamilton.

John was a 4-year starter at center forward and served as the team captain in his senior year. He received all-league honors in the Patriot Conference as well as being named a Regional All-American.

After graduating, Cook played two years with the Albany Admirals, a semi-pro team, before accepting a contract with the Western Mass Pioneers of the USL second division during the 2006 season. Career opportunities ended John’s playing career but he continues to be involved in the game and is currently a youth coach for the Oneonta Soccer Club.

Cook graduated from Colgate with a degree in English and Education and is a certified English teacher. He is currently employed by BOCES where he works as a high school Behavior Adjustment teacher at the Milford center. He has been married for two years to Elizabeth Cook and they reside just outside of Oneonta in the town of Schenevus.